The first time I became aware of Herb Ritts was back in the early 90's, when he photographed Mark Wahlberg for the Calvin Klein underwear ad campaign. Do you remember these pictures?...

I mean, come on...who didn't experience titillation upon seeing these ads? I bet the stock market in Calvin Klein underwear rose sky high (no pun intended) soon after these ads were released. Many of the gay men I knew, not only wanted them for themselves, but they also secretly hoped that each package of underwear came with its very own Mark Wahlberg - kind of like getting a really great prize in a box of Cracker Jack.
It was then that I became an admirer of the unique photographic style of Herb Ritts.

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Backstory:

In the late 1970's, the mostly self-taught, Los Angeles–based photographer Herb Ritts stumbled upon success, after his images of his longtime friend Richard Gere (taken at a California gas station, on a lark) were widely published and well received.

For the next two decades, Ritts distinguished himself with his clean, minimalistic knack for capturing Southern California light and landscapes. He often made use of the bright California sunlight to produce high contrasts, and his preference for outdoor locations such as the desert and the beach. He liked to shoot between the hours of 3 and 6 PM because that was the "golden light" - his favorite light of the day.

Herb Ritts revolutionized fashion photography. He became famous for his ultra-stylish black and white portraits.

There was always a strong signature of sensuality in Ritts's photography. He could photograph a nude man or woman yet, it never appeared pornographic. His images were like works of art - sculptures - celebrating the aesthetic beauty of both the male and female form.

Many people who were photographed by Herb Ritts said that he possessed a special talent for making them feel completely relaxed and comfortable in front of his camera, and that they had total trust in him. He brought out the best in everyone.

I love many of Herb Ritts's photographs, so it was challenging to share just these.

Please enjoy....

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Herb Ritts lived with HIV for 15 years. He died in 2002 from complications relating to pneumonia.

However, his work continues to influence generations of photographers, filmmakers and image makers. His light shines on...

What a celebration of the human body! He certainly knew how to capture beauty. It's interesting that the men in the photos are all so muscular. I actually find him (in the last photo) to be the most attractive of them all! Probably because i think brains is more sexy than brawn.

My goodness, Ron, what an incredibly talented man! And that fact that he was mostly self-taught makes his work even more exciting. I well remember the Mark Wahlberg ads and how I would commit murder most foul to have a set of abs like his!

I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't know much at all about Herb Ritts and I thank you so much for this post. You're so right that his work doesn't look pornographic.

What a fabulous artist and what a shame that we lost him at such a young age. Great post, buddy, and thanks again for sharing!

These captures reaffirm the fact that the human form is beautiful. Granted, these are gorgeous specimens of the human physique, but I agree with Bijoux....this is a fantastic celebration of the human body.

Sometimes, being self-taught is a *good* thing. Of course, there's the possibility of learning wrong, but I imagine you'd find a way to correct that if it occurred.

Ron, did you notice how BUFF all these male models were?!?

What I especially liked is this statement -- "he possessed a special talent for making them feel completely relaxed and comfortable in front of his camera, and that they had total trust in him" You know, it takes a special photographer to ease a subject into relaxing. Most folks seem to be camera-shy and self-conscious, and getting them to relax is key to getting a good shot.

Aren't they beautiful? Many people who knew Herb Ritts said that he had a "classical art" sense with his photography because he took photographs like a classical artist would create paintings or sculptures.

Thanks so much for stopping by, friend. Have a lovely week!

X

P.S. I stopped by your blog and read your comment. OMG...you and I seem to have had the same computer (technical problems) lately, hu? Hope you get it all sorted out quickly. Isn't it the pits when your computer gives you problems?

"It's interesting that the men in the photos are all so muscular. I actually find him (in the last photo) to be the most attractive of them all! Probably because i think brains is more sexy than brawn."

Even though I can greatly appreciate and see the beauty in their physiques, I'm with you....I find him to be VERY attractive and sexy!

"Sometimes, being self-taught is a *good* thing. Of course, there's the possibility of learning wrong, but I imagine you'd find a way to correct that if it occurred."

Exactly. And just because some goes to an official school to learn something (such as photography) doesn't mean they won't make mistakes and have to correct them. It's just that he preferred to learn through his own mistakes, by teaching himself. And that's how I like to learn as well.

"Ron, did you notice how BUFF all these male models were?!?"

Yes, as if they were carved out of marble like the sculpture of "David", by Michelangelo.

People who knew him (whether it was someone he photographed or a friend) said that he was such a sweet man.

Kind of tricky to open up this post at work, lol - but I agree wholeheartedly: Herb Ritts had the talent to keep his subjects looking sensual instead of pornographic. And B&W is a great way to showcase the human body, too. I remember his music videos, as well. They definitely had his "signature" look. These are all great shots - thank you so much for sharing!

Ron, these images are stunningly beautiful! You're right, they have a strong sense of sensuality but in no way are pornographic or offensive. It's like you said in your comment to Debbie, as if they were carved out of marble like a sculpture by Michelangelo. Both the men and the woman are just beautiful!

Love the last one and the first one of Naomi Cambell, she looks like a 1950's pinup girl. Great photograph!

Me too, Fiona! I adore the black and white shots and how stylish they look.

I love the last two as well. That final shot is of all the supermodels of that time. On the documentary it was said that that shot was an impromptu photograph Herb Ritts took when all those girls came to his home one day. I love the expressions on their faces because they are all different and yet, all so relaxed and comfortable looking.

Yup...I totally agree! What I especially enjoyed about Herb's photographs was that he had such an appreciation for both men and women. And it's so obvious in his images, the beauty of both the male and female form.

"Love the last one and the first one of Naomi Cambell, she looks like a 1950's pinup girl. Great photograph!"

LOVE that one too! You're right, it looks like a 1950's Betty Page pinup shot!

What an artist with the camera, Ron! I read your post this morning but wanted to watch the video when I got home so that I could know more about Herb Ritts before I left a comment. What a wonderful documentary. But it was too short, I wanted to see more! You could tell that he was a really cool guy and deeply admired by those around him. I found it so interesting to hear about the way he liked to shoot pictures and never used a tripod. He liked shooting by hand and around the elements.

Outstanding selection of photographs! I am so impressed that he was self-taught. He had a natural talent with the camera.

So glad to read that you watched the documentary and enjoyed it! Yes, I think it was too short as well. It's only 12 mins, but they share a lot about Herb in those 12 mins. I am going to see if I can find more videos on his life and work.

"I found it so interesting to hear about the way he liked to shoot pictures and never used a tripod. He preferred shooting hand-held."

Wasn't that interesting? I also found it interesting that he had an affinity to elements and enjoyed shooting photographs in and around them.

I too was very impressed to read that he was primarily a self-taught photographer. He has such a passion for photography and that's probably why he learned so easily by just doing it.

Wow Ron, these photographs are breathtaking! He was so talented with lighting because he knew how to use it to accentuate the human figure, every bone, muscle and tendon. These are like works of art created by the camera!

I do remember those Calvin Klein ads from the 90's. I wonder if he photographed the ads for the jeans as well? Didn't Brooke Shields pose for Calvin Klein jeans? Do you know if Herb Ritts took those too?

Herb was very attractive himself.What a warm, beautiful smile!

Once again, thank you for sharing such an interesting post, Ron. Have a great week!

Btw, can you feel the Fall weather coming? It's been so nice to get a break from all that heat and humidity. I can't wait for Fall!

Ron, wanted to stop back to let you know that I watched the documentary tonight and really enjoyed it! What was so touching to me was how much Herb RItts had affected the lives of those who knew him. He seemed not only talented but also loved and admired by anyone who met him.

Hello Ron! I have been busy getting caught up with your July onward posts. Very awkward not being able to comment since the comments were closed.Loved your pics of the theatre district in New York! I know how you feel about hating the world & what it's coming to & I admire your determination not to let it get to you by giving yourself up to nature. I am feeling more & more frustrated by the news myself. Your election is driving me nuts. I would hate to be an American right now - to me neither candidate seems like a good choice anymore.Have really enjoyed these last 2 posts about the photographers. I have never had a gift for photography like you but I can certainly appreciate great pics. I have been viewing a lot of pics lately - my daughter is in Europe & I'm traveling with her vicariously through her pics.This has been an especially hard summer for me - my body is having trouble coping with the allergens of Manitoba again so I have spent a lot of my summer short of breath, staying inside with the air conditioning going because I can't open the windows.Hope you are well! I'm glad I was able to catch up with you.

I'm so sorry for the frustration of not being able to leave comments on my previous post, but I have my commenting system set up so that comments are automatically closed after 30 days. I do that because I don't want SPAMMERS being able to leave comments on my archive posts.

I love NYC! In fact, I will be going back this week with my brother, who is visiting my from Florida. I can't wait to take him there because he's never been.

"I know how you feel about hating the world & what it's coming to & I admire your determination not to let it get to you by giving yourself up to nature. I am feeling more & more frustrated by the news myself. Your election is driving me nuts. I would hate to be an American right now - to me neither candidate seems like a good choice anymore."

Yes, the election here has turned into one big comedy/drama show. America is going through a lot of stuff right now. You're right, neither candidates are a perfect choice, however, I do know who I am voting for because they seem to be the best choice out of the two.

"This has been an especially hard summer for me - my body is having trouble coping with the allergens of Manitoba again so I have spent a lot of my summer short of breath, staying inside with the air conditioning going because I can't open the windows."

So sorry to hear about your health, my friend. I do hope you're feeling better now that the Fall is here. We've had a HORRIBLE summer here too because it was extremely hot and humid for weeks and weeks at a time.

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by. It was soooooooo great to catch up with you.